Finance/Business

(SNO) — Buoyed by statistics which show unemployment levels dropped in Saint Lucia in the last quarter of 2018, the government said it is committed to having the ordinary person on the streets feel the change. Nicole McDonald, senior communications officer in the Office of the Prime Minister, said statistics also showed that the Saint Lucian economy rose by three ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — The management of the Bank of Nova Scotia has agreed to pay out merit Increases to its employees of all its operational units. For months, the National Workers Union (NWU), the bargaining agent for the employees, made the request but it would appear that the demand fell on deaf ears. However, regional executives from Scotiabank flew in ...

(SNO) — With Saint Lucia under pressure from the European Union (EU) to amend or abolish a regime which gives foreign companies and their employees certain tax exemptions, the Allen Chastanet-led government is said to be in discussion with the organization on the matter. Nicole McDonald, senior communication officer in the Office of the Prime Minister, said the island stands by ...

(SNO) — Another talk show in Saint Lucia bites the dust. Politically Incorrect, hosted by Christopher Hunte on Choice TV, has been discontinued by the company. In a message posted on its website on Monday, the television station’s parent company, Mediazone Productions Inc., said they decided to discontinue production of the show after a “most recent review”, and thanked Hunte ...

(SNO) — The European Union (EU) has written to the Allen Chastanet-led government that it should abolish a tax preferential regime for foreign companies working here, by December 31, 2019, or the island could be placed on the EU’s list of non-cooperative jurisdictions. The regime, which gives foreign companies and their employees certain tax exemptions, was described as harmful by ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — Thepublic is hereby notified that in keeping with changes in international oil prices and government’s application of the modified market pass-through petroleum pricing mechanism, the retail price of LPG 20 and 22 lb cylinders, gasoline and diesel remains unchanged. The prices of LPG 100 lb cylinder and kerosene have been changed. The price changes take effect from Monday ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — The year has started off in high gear for St. Lucia National Lottery (SNL) and most certainly for gamers. Two lucky gamers experienced a life-changing experience in January after playing Super 6: Victorin Weekes and Viventian Stephen are the latest winners of Super 6 jackpots. Weekes, who won $480,000 on Friday, January 18, 2019, appeared very calm ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — Digicel, your total communications and entertainment provider in the Caribbean, is today pledging to the government and every business in Saint Lucia: the new fibre optic cable system (currently under construction) will be a total game changer. CEO of Digicel St. Lucia, Siobhan James-Alexander, said: “Digicel Fibre will change the way we work, play, learn and live ...

(SNO) — Tamara Gibson, managing director of Radio Caribbean 1982 Limited, has disclosed that its popular midday talk show ‘Newsspin’, on Radio Caribbean Internatioal (RCI), is no more. Also out is its host Early Huntley, the former St. Lucian diplomat. He had replaced long-time host Timothy Poleon who was fired recently over alleged conflict of interest. Poleon will start a ...

(SNO) — Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has expressed satisfaction with the latest statistics on the country’s unemployment rate. Writing on Facebook, Chastanet said unemployment for the fourth quarter of 2018 was “7 percentage points less than that of 2017, dropping from 23.2% to 16.2%”. Overall youth unemployment has been “reduced by 2.2%, from 38.5% to 36.2%,” Chastanet also disclosed. “Some ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — The Soufriere Regional Development Foundation (SRDF) proudly announces the commissioning of three additional pools to its operational site at the Sulphur Springs Park. The project was conceived with the primary aim of responding to some of the numerous concerns of congestion from operating with a single pool, particularly during the months of increased visitor arrival. The construction ...

(SNO) — Award-winning veteran local journalist Timothy Poleon will commence his talk show on Real FM on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, the radio station has announced. Poleon was sacked by Radio Caribbean International (RCI) where he had hosted the popular midday talk show “News Spin”. Former Saint Lucia diplomat and retired civil servant Earl Huntley has replaced Poleon who was fired about ...

(SNO) — Under the heading “More Citizens Now Working”, Labour Minister Stephenson King has announced a reduction in unemployment over the last quarter. Writing on his Facebook page earlier today (Feb. 8), King said he is “heartened” by the news. He said official statistics show that overall unemployment declined to 16.2% from 23%, and youth unemployment, from 41% to 36%. ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — Government is seeking to simplify the administrative processes and procedures in reference to goods entering and leaving the country. In 2009, Cabinet gave permission for the establishment of a ‘Port Community Single Window’ to increase St. Lucia’s competitiveness in regards to the trading of goods. In a thrust to improve St. Lucia’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ ranking ...

(SNO) — A former LIAT employee was awarded US$1.55 million in damages by a jury on St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands) on Tuesday after he took the airline to court for firing him because of his age.| In 2011, LIAT offered all employees over age 62 a retirement package in exchange for voluntary resignations, but William Cherubin wanted to stay ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — The Saint Lucia Air and Seaports Authority (SLASPA) is delighted to announce CBRE | Heery, Inc. (CBRE | Heery) as the architect for the Hewanorra International Airport (HIA) Redevelopment Project. CBRE | Heery is a leading full-service architecture, interior design, engineering, programand construction management firm with multiple offices throughout the United States of America. The Miami office ...

(CaribPR Wire) — Bevertec CST Inc., a leading provider of retail financial services technology and services in the Caribbean and worldwide, is pleased to announce that the company has reached an agreement with Capita Financial Services Inc. (Barbados) to implement an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) network and related technology to serve the credit unions of St. Lucia. The ATM driving, ...

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Feb 6, CMC – The Antigua-based regional airline, LIAT, has entered into a partnership agreement with Caribbeanevents.com, the recently launched website featuring events and festivals scheduled throughout the Caribbean. Caribbeanevents.com founder, Nerdin St. Rose, said the described the partnership as “timely’ given that the calendar of Caribbean events and festivals have grown significantly and the Barbados-based Caribbean ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — The management of Blue Waters (St. Lucia) Ltd and the National Workers Union (NWU) signed their first industrial agreement today, Wednesday, February 6, 2019. The official ceremony took place at the Department of Labour at which the leadership of the NWU, shop steward and management of the company affixed their signatures to the new industrial accord. Workers ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — The Department of Finance has partnered with the Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD) in the development of a strategic plan, aimed at positioning the department as a leader in public financial management, with excellence in service delivery and fiscal stability whilst enabling the sustained socio-economic well-being of all Saint Lucians. The Department of Finance has developed ...

(SNO) — After being in existence for 26 years, the Saint Lucia Fish Marketing Fish Corporation Ltd. (SLFMC) is closing its doors and all staff members have been made redundant. In a letter to employees, Timothy Green, chairman of the SLFMC, said economic conditions have made the company un-viable and hence is unable to continue operation. “A review of the ...

(SNO) — Former Saint Lucia diplomat and retired civil servant Earl Huntley is now the new host of popular midday talk show “News Spin” on Radio Caribbean International (RCI). Huntley took over the reigns following the sacking of veteran journalist Timothy Poleon. Poleon was reportedly fired a few days ago in connection with his registration of a company under which ...

(PRESS RELEASE) – Invest Saint Lucia (ISL) is in the process of developing a master plan for the Anse de Sable area in Vieux-Fort, as part of the overall redevelopment plan for the southern town. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Roderick Cherry remarked, “Invest Saint Lucia owns a large portion of land in Vieux-Fort and it has always been the Corporation’s ...

St. Lucia News Online (SNO), www.stlucianewsonline.com, your #1 online news source, is back on Whatsapp! Have a news tip, story to tell, videos/photos for publication, article complaint or clarification? Save our number on your phone, exactly as this, + 1 758 712 6700, and then send us a message so we can also save your number. That way, you can ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — SLUDTERA would like to inform interested entrepreneurs in St. Lucia, the Caribbean and Latin America, that 100,000 startups are being targeted to compete in the 2019 Entrepreneurship World Cup! Startup Huddle St. Lucia, a program hosted by SLUDTERA, can be the platform used to prepare St. Lucian entrepreneurs who are interested in applying to compete in the ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — The Ministry of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs will be hosting its 3rd Valentine’s Day Showcase under the theme “Artistic Expressions of Love” on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 on the ground floor of the Castries Carpark Facility, Waterfront, Castries from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In its continuing efforts to promote entrepreneurship, clients ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — Corina Richelieu of Carellie is the winner of a brand new Hyundai Creta SUV in the SNL “Driven to Win” Christmas promotion. The announcement was made after the official draw which took place at Beachcomber on Friday, January 19, 2019. During the months of November and December, players participated in SNL’s Christmas Promotion “Driven to Win” which ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — Leon Brin of Dennery is the grand prize winner of a home makeover valued at EC$15,000 in Digicel’s 2018 Christmas promotion dubbed, ‘The Gift of More’. Brin, who has been a Digicel customer for more than eight years, was all smiles when he was officially presented with his winnings which included household items and a complete paint ...

(PRESS RELEASE) – Effective February 1, 2019, guests of Bay Gardens Resorts will enjoy complimentary, unlimited access to St. Lucia’s only open-water sports park, Splash Island Water Park. Previously, guests were limited to six one-hour passes per room, however, the St. Lucian group of hotels has now added the full water sports experience to the value-added amenities it offers. “We ...

(SNO) — The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards (SLBS) is warning the public that there are illegal cigarettes on the island and they should not be purchased. The organization said it is currently working with the Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority and the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority to control pilfering during the transportation and disposal process. ...

(SNO) — When Saint Lucian Joshua Esnard went to Tallahassee he never realized his dream would turn into a reality. Esnard is the inventor of “Cut Buddy” — a hair and beard grooming kit which has become a hot seller. It has been described as “genius” by GQ, has become a hot seller on Amazon, and has been featured on ...

(SNO) — A delegation from France is presently in Saint Lucia exploring potential investment and partnership opportunities on the island. The delegation is from the French company Éthic Étapes and is being hosted by Invest Saint Lucia (ISL) as part of its promotional effort to diversify the island’s offerings. The company was created in 1979 and held its Annual General ...

(SNO) — Saint Lucian Wayne Dante residing in New York has launched a men’s clothing line which was inspired by his love for cricket. The “Cricket Club” collection is the first of numerous collections released and it consists of hats, quality t-shirts, denim jackets, sweaters, matching stylish tracksuits and even fancy clothing options for dogs. He said the collection combines ...

(SNO) — The National Workers Union (NWU) has kept its promise to give a lump sum to its members after meeting with the Government Negotiating Team. Vice President of the the NWU, Solace Myers, said the money was given before and after Christmas. “Our members got their first lump sum payment, I believe the fortnight before Christmas,” Myers told HTS. ...

(SNO) — A Saint Lucian now living in the United States is getting ready to launch her new clothing lines for nannies. The launch will take place on February 9, 2019 at Paul Vincent Studios in Hoboken, New Jersey. The collection will feature a variety of clothing and accessories such as caps, sweaters, t-shirts, joggers’ pants, tote bags and leggings ...

(SNO) — The construction of a cruise ship port in Vieux Fort will be on the agenda as Prime Minister Allen Chastanet meets with Carnival Cruise Line officials in Maimi over the next two days. The new port is part of investments outlined by the government that it said will complement the redeveloped Hewanorra International Airport. According to Chastanet, these ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — The government of Saint Lucia is currently advancing an initiative that will allow businesses to use non-traditional forms of collateral to secure financing. With this new venture, businesses will be able to use their movable assets such as their inventory, equipment, accounts receivables, vehicles or anything that is of value to the business as security for a ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — The local media got a first-hand look at the plans being laid out by Invest Saint Lucia (ISL) for 2019. Speaking at a press briefing Monday, ISL’s CEO Roderick Cherry, provided members of the media with the status of ongoing projects, those pipeline projects that ISL continues to facilitate, as well as the initiatives that the agency ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — The Bankers Association of St. Lucia Inc. (Bankers Association) has announced the appointment of a new president to manage its affairs for the period November 1, 2018 to October 31, 2019. Mrs. Suzette Armoogam-Shah of Scotiabank assumes the reigns of leadership as the new president of the Association following the departure of Mrs. Wendy Delmar, former ...

(SNO) — The price for fuel is expected to remain unchanged in Saint Lucia, at least for the time being. The Consumer Affairs Department of the Ministry of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs said that the prices will remain the same in keeping with changes in international oil prices and government’s application of the modified market ...

(SNO) — A pitching competition, which gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their businesses before hundreds of investors, is set to take place on March 28, 2019. Get in the Ring (GITR) Saint Lucia is being organized by the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. “Imagine yourself, standing in a boxing ring, battling in a pitching competition, head-to-head ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — Sunbilt is pleased to announce the opening of its new store located in Bexon. This new location seeks to partner convenience with the best retail experience that customers have come to know with the trusted SUNBILT brand. The approximately 16,000 square-foot store is dynamically different in the range of high quality and unique products available, as it ...

(BBC) — Zimbabwe has blocked Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp messaging app amid a crackdown on days of violent protests. A coalition of local human rights groups says at least 12 people have been killed and many more beaten and tortured by security forces this week. The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum accused the authorities of cutting off the internet “to ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — Courts, St. Lucia’s number one retailer of the world’s best brands in electronics, appliance and furniture products, have partnered with Mabe, one of our top selling brands to surprise one lucky customer with the gift of a $27,000 Courts Ultimate shopping spree. During the month of November, Courts customers purchasing any Mabe product got a chance to ...

(PRESS RELEASE) – St. Lucian hotelier Karolin Troubetzkoy has joined the Caribbean’s efforts to address the crisis of marine and coastal resources degradation with her appointment this week as Envoy of the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI). CCI was launched in 2008 in response to the crisis facing the Caribbean’s marine and coastal resources. The organization serves as a voluntary, informal ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — Regional industrial relations officials from Scotiabank met with the leadership and shop stewards of the National Workers Union (NWU) this week. The meeting, which was held at the Coco Palm Hotel, discussed National Workers Union proposals and the future of its employees and banking operations. Coming out of that meeting were the following: the NWU has called ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — The Office of the Mayor has officially launched the Vendors’ Registration Programme. It was preceded by several consultations held in 2017 with merchants from the vendors arcade, provisions and craft markets and roadside traders. The Vendors’ Registration Programme will provide significant benefits to vendors such as free access to public comfort stations, job letters identifying them as ...

(PRESS RELEASE) – The Bankers Association Finance and Trade (BAFT), an international financial services association, recently announced its Future Leaders program class of 2019, and for the first time, an employee of a regional bank has landed a place in the prestigious programme. Kerry Jordan, manager, trade finance with CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, was one of 32 individuals selected to ...

(SNO) — The Saint Lucia Civil Service Association (CSA) says it will continue to pursue the long-running contention between the union and light and power company, St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC). The two organizations have been at odds over a matter relating to retirement age at the company, and the power company has challenged a ruling by the Labour ...

(SNO) — The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards (SLBS) is warning the public that Trisonic Step Up and Down Transformers are unsafe to use and are being withdrawn from the local market because of possible risk to the health and safety of consumers. It said an assessment of models TS-401-3P, TS-402-3P & TS-405-3P of the transformer indicate that they are ...

(SNO) — With the increase of the importation of used vehicles into the island, the Saint Lucia Air and Seaport Authority (SLASPA) has announced new procedures at the port when these and other vehicles that are being brought in. Chief of Ports Police Kennedy Francis announced the new procedures at a press conference recently, pointing out that all vehicles leaving ...

(SNO) — Saying that his administration inherited the largest and fastest debt accumulation, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has vowed that he will not increase Saint Lucia’s debt burden. In his new year’s “State of the Nation” address, he laid the blame for the high-debt burden squarely at the feet of the previous Labour Party Administration, and said when his party ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — The management of St. James’s Club Morgan Bay and the National Workers Union (NWU) have settled their industrial impasse at the mediation level. Over 200 hotel workers employed with the company will receive one dolla per hour increase on their existing salaries effective January 2019, with an additional fifty cents per hour increase during the period of ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — The National Workers Union (NWU) understands the concern of the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture that many employers are now faced with litigation from employees. That is part of a statement in the local media on January 3, 2019 from the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture about the high incidence of claims ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — The east coast welcomes a new variety store offering a wide range of goods. For a one-stop shopping experience compact with over five departments, eco-friendly infrastructure, spacious parking facility and friendly customer service, Groo Center is located south of the Denney Police Station on the Castries-Vieux Fort Highway. The Centre opens its doors to the public on ...

(PRESS RELEASE) – On February 1, 2019, Saint Lucia’s son of the soil, Vaughn Constable, will launch his brand, Twist By Vee, a company which specializes in handmade bow ties, neck bows and accessories as well as corporate branded bowties. The company provides a wide range of high-quality handmade bowties for special occasions and celebrations such as weddings, reunions, corporate ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — Rainforest Adventures (RFA) is not only known for its unique aerial tram, zip-lining, hiking trails and bird watching eco-tour experiences, but the company also prides itself in serving and giving back significantly to the Babonneau community, where it has been operating for over 12 years. To ring in the New Year, Rainforest Adventures in partnership with the ...

(SLTA SCOOP) — And there is more good news for the destination as United Airlines has extended its weekly service from Newark, NJ, from April 30th to July 31st 2019. Some of the return fares are: March 9th, 23rd and 30th – $437 April 27th – $520 May 4th – $581 May 11th and 18th – $520 June 8th – ...

(CMC) – The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says exports from Latin America and the Caribbean hit their highest level in six years as a result of a 9.9 per cent increase in 2018, albeit amid growing downside risks in the future. A new IDB report noted that the region exported US$1.08 trillion last year. “While this is the highest level ...

(SLTA SCOOP) — The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority is thrilled about the drop in airfares for flights between Miami, Florida and Saint Lucia. With even more flight options available to the destination, American Airlines is now offering fares for as low as US$514 return from Miami. You can now book your vacation to the ‘World’s Leading Honeymoon’ destination starting in ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — The Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association (SLBWA) on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 gave a glowing welcome to a new and historic initiative by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) to introduce into circulation, new Eastern Caribbean currency banknotes that bear “blind recognition features”. The SLBWA is also pleased that the ECCB officials found it appropriate to engage ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — Export Saint Lucia (TEPA) is once again making significant strides in increasing the volume and variety of agricultural products coming from Saint Lucia. In December 2018, a group of local sea moss farmers made history by becoming the first to export sun-dried sea moss from Saint Lucia to the United Kingdom (UK). The test shipment of sun-dried ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — For the past three years, Invest Saint Lucia (ISL) has been initiating contact with local and foreign investors as part of efforts to capture information on their respective economic contributions to the local economy, as well as to identify challenges within the business environment that could help guide policy makers in their bid to make Saint Lucia ...

(PRESS RELEASE) — The National Workers Union (NWU) will launch its first Financial Services Workers Council in the first quarter of 2019. The Council will comprise all the banks along with the nine credit unions, BELFund, Saint Lucia Mortgage Finance Company Limited and National Insurance Corporation (NIC). The Council will be responsible for the total unification of the sector, to ...

(DIGICEL) — Telecommunications provider Digicel Group disclosed a new deal that has been largely accepted by irate bondholders, which includes concessions on a better interest rate for one bond and for the other, reducing the amount of debt set for extension. The new bond swap offer also cuts the amount of debt to be refinanced by a third. “Digicel received ...